Whether or not Tim Esmay remains Arizona State baseball coach, he deserves respect for steering the program through a turbulent time.

Esmay was re-hired by ASU in December 2009 after being let go as assistant head coach months earlier by Pat Murphy. Murphy then lost his job because of NCAA major violations over more than five years including a lack of institutional control finding that leaves ASU athletics subject to repeat violator penalties through December 2016.

Then Vice President for Athletics Lisa Love turned to Esmay as interim head coach a monthbefore the start of 2010 spring practice. When she finally remove the interim tag, ASU was 47-8, Pac-10 champion and No. 1 national seed going into the NCAA Tournament. The Sun Devils would win five regional and super regional games before faltering with two straight losses at the College World Series. Esmay was Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

ASU remained under NCAA sanctions, arguably a year longer than necessary because the school appealed a one-year postseason ban and lack of institutional control only to lose that case. Instead of sitting out the 2011 postseason, the Sun Devils were ineligible in 2012.

The initial ASU internal investigation into allegations of baseball violations began in January 2008.

Esmay had been head coach for less than a year and interim-free for five months when he signed his first recruiting class in November 2010 with scholarship reductions still in effect. Of those 18players only three – Nathaniel Causey, Jake Peevyhouse, Darin Gillies – were major contributors this season. (Drew Stankiewicz signed later after obtaining his release from Cal State Fullerton).

There is a direct correlation between the lengthy NCAA investigation and its outcome and ASU having only three players – Stankiewicz, Causey and 21-year-old sophomore David Graybill – taken in the 2014 major league draft. And that lack of upper-class talent showed in a 33-24 season that ended with ASU's first 0-2 showing at a NCAA regional since 1992.

Whether first-year Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson understands this history or even cares might not matter. Anderson has no ties to Esmay and only met with him beyond cursory conversation for the first time last week. He can pay off half of what Esmay is owed for the final year of his contract as obligated and move on if he chooses, starting with his own man when the Sun Devils move next season to Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Anderson already has shown he's capable of hiring quality head coach in wrestling and women's gymnastics and undoubtedly would do the same for high-profile baseball.

Esmay, who's averaged 40 wins in five seasons at ASU, likely would get another college opportunity and certainly would deserve one. But it could never be the same as his dream job at a school where his playing career parallels his coaching experience.

ASU also was ineligible for postseason play in 1985 due to NCAA sanctions, opening a recruiting door for Esmay to transfer from Scottsdale Community College. He started at catcher in 1986 at catcher and second base in '87, helping the Sun Devils get back to the College World Series just twoyears after a 31-35 season.

Phoenix Brophy Prep coach Tom Succow is among those in the sport who have written to Anderson in support of Esmay, who was a Brophy assistant coach in 1992-93.

"Tim is such a fine young man," Succow said. "He was handed a difficult position when he first took over. Parity across college baseball is incredible. I hope Mr. Anderson realizes this year's team never gave up on Tim and battled to the end and I hope (ASU President) Dr. (Michael) Crow appreciates how Tim righted the ship while his team still performed well and was good in the classroom."

Anderson and Esmay want and ultimately expect the same thing: ASU back in Omaha contending for a sixth national title. Esmay, Pac-12 active winning percentage leader, probably deserves more time and the chance to take advantage of the move to Muni if nothing else for having fought through the disadvantages of the NCAA sanctions.

Anderson, though, might want a dance partner of his own choosing, and he gets the final call, probably coming Monday.